Monday, July 2, 2012

Windows 8 Upgrade options by Microsoft

ZDNet has managed to get its hands on some details regarding
Microsoft’s Windows 8 upgrade paths. The company will support upgrade
installations from XP SP3 to Windows 7 in various forms, and with some
caveats. Users will not be able to do cross-language upgrade installs or
upgrades from x86 (32-bit) to x64 (64-bit) Windows 8 (or vice versa).
Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system (check out our guide) is set to be available to consumers this fall, and the company has started prepping its partners
on how the upgrade process will work for users running previous
versions of Windows. The short answer is that users running at least XP
with Service Pack 3 will be able to perform an upgrade install to a
version of Windows 8 with the same language and architecture as the
current version. The longer answer is that – while you may be able to
upgrade – you may not be able to keep all of your applications, system
settings, and/or data when moving to Windows 8 depending on your
particular configuration.
Let’s run down some example upgrade situations.
For users running Windows XP SP3 or higher, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 and keep all of you personal files. You will lose all system settings and installed applications, however.
If you are currently running Windows Vista pre-Service Pack 1 (SP1),
you will be able to perform an upgrade installation to Windows 8. You
will be able to keep your personal files, but will lose any installed applications and system settings.
If you have Windows Vista SP1 (or newer), you will be able to keep your personal files and system settings. On the other hand, you will lose any installed applications as a result of the upgrade to Windows 8.

Further, as general rules of thumb, you can upgrade to Windows 8
(non-Pro version) from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, and
Windows 7 Home Premium installs. You will be able to keep all of your
settings, files, and applications. Also, you can upgrade to Windows 8
Pro from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Pro, and Ultimate
and keep the same system configuration, installed applications, and
personal files. If you are a volume licensee currently running Windows 7
Professional or Windows 7 Enterpirse, you will be able to perform and
upgrade installation to Windows 8 Enterprise without losing any data,
settings, or applications.
Just as with previous releases of Windows, if you want to move to the
new version of Windows that has either a different language or
different architecture (32-bit/64-bit), you will be required to perform a
clean installation (not a bad idea in any event, actually). One detail
that has not been released (or leaked) yet is pricing and whether or not
we will see steep discounts for student versions, those that tested any
of the Windows 8 preview builds, or family packs. If you eschew the DIY
route and buy a new OEM computer between now and January 31, 2013, you
will qualify for a Windows 8 Pro upgrade copy
for $14.99, however. It will be interesting to see just how Microsoft
prices its upcoming operating system, especially before any applicable
discounts. Microsoft has streamlined the number of SKUs but also made
Pro the version to get for even some home users; and because it’s the equivalent of Windows 7 Ultimate where they price it will be interesting. When Windows 8 arrives will you be getting it and how much do you think Windows 8 should cost & have you tried the beta yet??